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February 12, 2014

Collective Haul | High End Skincare 2014

After picking up my Clarisonic Mia2 (see haul here), I have been trying to make a conscious decision to use better products on my face. It became evident that my previous skincare routine was no longer working for me so I took that as a sign to say goodbye to some of the skincare nasties I had been using and start being a little nicer to my face. 

Over the past two and a half, almost three, months I've scoured Caroline Hirons' and read as many reviews by Paula Begoun (the lady behind Paula's Choice) as I possibly could and, from there, I created my many shopping lists. I also did a lot of shopping. A lot. It's important to remember that this is a collective haul and a these products have been accumulated. 
I made two separate trips to Aesop over the past few months. On the first trip I picked up the Aseop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque ($39.00), a cult favourite in the beauty community. I'm still forming a full opinion of it but so far I'm quite pleased. On my second trip I picked up two bits, the Aesop Oil Free Facial Hydrating Serum for ($63.00) and Aesop Control for ($23.00). I was given a sample of the serum when I picked up the masque and I was really impressed - it absorbs quickly, doesn't leave me feeling oily and works well under foundation. Oh and, of course, it's not a skincare haul unless there's at least one spot treatment in my shopping bag, right? 
My next stop was Kit Cosmetics and Mecca. Typical Sophie. I picked up the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment ($39.00) just after Christmas with some money I'd just been given to replace an eye cream that was breaking me out terribly (stay tuned to find out who the culprit is). I've used this one before so I knew it wouldn't disappoint! After reading about the miracle of the chemical exfoliant I decided to give the Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner ($28.95) a try. I feel like my skin isn't responding to it that well but I'll keep you posted. On a day when I was feeling a bit compulsive I was easily talked into giving the Glamglow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment ($75.00) a shot. I really hope it's got tiny pieces of unicorn in it because, for that price, it'd want to be pretty damn magical!
Caroline Hirons recommends that people use a moisturising toner after their acid/chemical toner to add hydration back into the skin. My Mum swears by Jurlique so I thought it was time to follow in her footsteps and try their Rosewater Balancing Mist ($48.99). I should've looked at the ingredients before picking it up because, with alcohol as the second ingredient, I'm not sure how hydrating this will actually be! Paula Begoun listed The Body Shop's Aloe Gentle Facial Wash ($21.95) as one of the best cleansers so I thought it could be the perfect one to replace what I have been using. So far it's been really gentle and I think I am really going to enjoy it. I also took the opportunity to buy The Body Shop's Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream ($24.95), as raved about by Sarah from More than Adored. Sarah, if I don't end up liking it, I'll be comin' for you! 
My last two products are chemical exfoliants that I picked up from Adore Beauty. I'd never ordered them before but decided to give them a try when I saw they stocked First Aid Beauty and Alpha-H. First Aid Beauty recently went on a bit of a US beauty vlogger blitz and a few of my favourite YouTubers featured the Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($31.95) in their videos. It might be a marketing ploy, yes, but they all spoke really highly of them and if it's going to even out my skin tone by fading scarring and reduce future breakouts I'm all for giving it a shot. I picked up the Alpha-H Liquid Gold ($48.88) for the same reason. This toner has 8% glycolic acid, is another super hyped about product and is meant to have a similar effect as the pads.


Okay, I'm done. That's a lot of stuff, isn't it? I'm really enjoying trying all these products; seeing what works and what I really need to stay away from. So far my skin hasn't reacted as positively as I would've liked but it's incredibly sensitive and I've been changing a lot on it lately. 

Have you tried any of these skincare bits? What do you think of them?
What would you like to see reviewed?

20 comments :

  1. That is a lot! But I'm sure it will be lots of fun trying all these wonderful products and seeing how they change your skin!! Can't wait for some reviews!!

    melaniface

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    1. There's a lot, I know! Luckily I slowly accumulated the products. My bank account is resenting me at the moment. So far the changes haven't really been for the better which is really disappointing but we'll see! X

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  2. I've never tried any of these products, would love to see some reviews. After a recent wedding I was in, I had a massive breakout - quite unusual for me and I assume the makeup was the culprit but it's led me switch up my skincare products. I can't wait to see that unicorn mask review :)

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    1. Hey, Lauren! I'm so sorry to hear that you had such an uncharacteristic break out. That's the worst! I hope it was a one off and clears up quickly. X

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  3. I love the Jurlique mist! I'm using their new one for sensitive skin atm. It doesn't contain alcohol.

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    1. I might check that out tonight when I go shopping (someone stop me!). Thanks for the recommendation. I'm just not loving this one and I think it's the alcohol content - it actually hurts my face somewhat. :( x

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  4. I am dying to try Alpha-H Liquid Gold. I've heard so many great things! This haul is making me drool and my bank quiver with fear. Need. to. go.

    Kate Xx
    themintedbeauty.com

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    1. Ahaha, Kate! I've used it a couple of times and haven't seem anything magical but I think it's one of those products you need to use for an extended period of time to really notice results. I'll keep you posted. X

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    1. I grabbed a sample of that last time I was there but I haven't decided what I think yet! X

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  6. I really would love the Aesop parsley mask :)!
    BerrieBlogs - Beauty Blog x

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    1. Yeah, it's quite nice. Leaves your skin feels refreshed and deeply cleaned, that's for sure! X

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  7. I look forward to your reviews of the Aesop stuff, especially the spot treatment as I haven't heard a lot about it!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    1. I'll add them to the list of products I need to review, Tasha! Thanks for stopping by. X

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  8. You got some GREAT products! I love and use so many of them haha! I'm addicted to Caroline Hirons blog too xx

    Jasmine Cara

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    1. Great minds definitely think alike, Jasmine! What bits do you love?! Would love to know! X

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  9. Oh my gosh Soph! THAT is a haul. You've pretty much changed your whole skincare routine, I love it haha. Can't wait to hear about all the products, hopefully they work out for you. I have my fingers and toes crossed you love the day cream as much as me!!

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    1. Ahaha, I know! I definitely didn't show any self control. I'm really hoping they'll all work and my skin will respond to them positively. At the moment it's a bit all over the place. I really hope I love the Day Cream too. If I don't, I'll be blaming you. Ahaha x

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  10. I would love to hear your opinion of the Glam Glow- I have been eyeing it off for a while now.
    x

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    1. Hey, lovely! it's already on my list of products to review. So expensive! X

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